Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) Chesil Beach Centre will be hosting a fundraising evening and auction on Thursday 5th June to raise money to protect the little tern, which is the second rarest seabird in the country. Chesil beach is the only location of a breeding colony in South West England.
An exclusive wildlife experiences auction will help raise vital funds to build fencing and provide wardens to help protect little terns from predators and disturbance. Experiences on offer include a night in the DWT villa on Brownsea Island and a sunset wildlife watching boat trip on the Lagoon, a chance to discover dormice in West Dorset, a trip on the Fleet Observer to watch the sunset over Chesil, and an opportunity to see the little terns up close with a warden.
DWT’s Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre Manager, Emily Brown said: “The wildlife experiences auction is a great chance to get up close to Dorset’s wildlife with the experts – see wild birds, search for dormice or spend the night on Brownsea Island. All proceeds raised will go straight to the little tern project, which is a joint project managed by the RSPB and supported by DWT. You can bid online, or come along to the fundraising evening, where experts will be talking about these amazing little birds, and you can also bid in person.”
Previously, little tern numbers have dropped to as low as 10 breeding pairs but this number has increased recently due to habitat work from local conservationists. The breeding group of terns at Chesil are the smallest species of tern to breed in the UK. They come to Chesil from West Africa, to breed in the excellent habitat which Chesil beach provides for them, such as shallow and sheltered feeding areas. They do not go far from their nesting site, so they can comfortably feed on fish in the Fleet and in the local Lyme Bay waters.
The Little Tern Fundraising Evening will be held on Thursday June 5that 7pm at the Chesil Beach Centre, half way along the causeway from Weymouth to Portland. (DT4 9XE) The evening will also include talks about the Chesil Little Terns, a buffet, and spectacular views across the Fleet from the centre. Tickets cost £12 and are available from the Chesil Beach Centre, or book on 01305 206191. To bid online, visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife_experiences_auction_.html
or drop into the Chesil Beach Centre to place your bid.
